Installation for trying on wearing apparel and accessories

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an installation enabling an observer to see the image of a part of himself combined successively with a series of articles of wearing apparel or accessories, said installation permitting the observer to try said articles and choose among them without wearing said articles in reality, said installation comprising: a fixed structure carrying a vertical semi-transparent mirror facing the observer, a housing mounted on said fixed structure and opposite the observer with respect to said semi-transparent mirror, said housing having an opened front wall, a sighting frame slidably mounted on said opened front wall of said housing and arranged to be adjustably displaced on a vertical place, said frame having a window equipped with a guide mark intended to be placed on a level with said part of the observer, and a movable support mounted into said housing at the rear of said sighting frame, said movable support, on which is placed a succession of articles, being actuated by a driving system which causes the articles to appear successively one at a time behind the window of the sighting frame. The invention is applicable, for example, for displaying real articles, such as spectacles, wigs, etc. and in this case, the installation is disposed in the show window of a store.

United States Patent 91 Bourdier [451 May 1,1973

[ INSTALLATION FOR TRYING ON WEARING APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES [76] Inventor: Jean-Claude Bourdier, 22 bis rue Jouffroy, Paris, France 22 Filed: Dec. 30, 1971 21 .Appl. No.: 213,969

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,044,187 7/1962 Nicholls v.35/56 3,047,966 8/1962 Greenspan ..35/58 3,507,570 4/1970 Bourdier ...35/59 UX 3,659,928 5/1972 MacFarlane ..35/58 X Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist Att0rneyWi1fred G. Caldwell [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to an installation enabling an observer to see the image of a part of himself combined successively with a series of articles of wearing apparel or accessories, said installation permitting the observer to try said articles and choose among them without wearing said articles in reality, said installation comprising: a fixed structure carrying a vertical semi-transparent mirror facing the observer, a housing mounted on said fixed structure and opposite the observer with respect to said semi-transparent mirror, said housing having an opened front wall, a sighting frame slidably mounted on said opened front wall of said housing and arranged to be adjustably displaced on a vertical place, said frame having a window equipped with a guide mark intended to be placed on a level with said part of the observer, and a movable support mounted into said housing at the rear of said sighting frame, said movable support, on which is placed a succession of articles, being actuated by a driving system which causes the articles to appear successively one at a time behind the window of the sighting frame. The invention is applicable, for example, for displaying real articles, such as spectacles, wigs, etc. and in this case, the installation is disposed in the show window of a store.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmd May 1-, 1913 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INSTALLATION FOR TRYING ON WEARING APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES The present invention relates to an installation enabling an observer to see the image of a part of himself combined ,successively with a series of accessories or garments to be tried on.

Already known are installations comprising a semitransparent mirror facing an observer and behind which is placed an article of apparel or an accessory.

In this type of installation, the observer sees the image of a part of his body, notably his face, in the semi-transparent mirror, this image being associated with the apparel in question, whether it be an article of clothing, a wig or any other object of this type. To do this the observer must be positioned symmetrically to the apparel with respect to the semi-transparent mirror.

However, in the existing installations there is no simple system for adjusting the position of the semi-transparent mirror and the apparel as a function of the height of the observer; in other words, this type of installation is designed for a person of medium size and taller people must stoop, while shorter people must stand on tip-toe so that their faces reach the height of the semi-transparent mirror,

provision is made to show only a small number of articles, since their positioning requires much handling and strict control of their positioning, which operations are long and costly.

In addition, these known installations do not give the observer the impression that he is really trying on the article, due notably to the absence of adjustment. This type of installation is intended in general to be arranged in a store and to form for a possible purchaser a first idea of the form and style of the article which would suit him. This pre-trial has therefore for object:

on the one hand, to enable the client to make a series of trials, without the intervention of a salesman, tranquilly and in a relatively short time,

on the other hand, to urge the client to make a real trial of the articles he has selected, and as a result, to purchase the article or articles in question.

The present invention puts forward aninstallation which considerably improves the comfort of the observer by giving him a real impression and by surprising him with the view of his own image wearing the article.

To this end, the installation comprises, like the cles symmetrical to the observer with respect to the semi-transparent mirror, the installation being characterized in that it also presents a sighting frame mounted on a fixed structure, this frame being of adjustable position and arranged between the observer and the plane where the articles appear. The frame has a window equipped with a guide mark intended to be placed at the height of that part of the observer which he sees in the semi-transparent mirror, and a movable support on which is mounted a succession of articles, this support being actuated by a driving system which shows the articles successively one at a time behind the window of the sighting frame. The displacement in height of the sighting frame permits adjustment of the level observed of the plane where the articles appear, depending on the height of the observer.

In addition, to permit a step by step parade of the articles at the level of the axis of observation, the sighting frame is rigid with a signal detector which cooperates with elements ensuring the emission of signals which are respectively associated to each of the articles, said detector automatically controlling the stopping of the system moving the articles when an emitter element passes in front of the signal detector. The starting of the system moving the articles as well as its restarting after each stopping are effected preferably by a first manual control which may be placed at the disposal of the observer.

In a similar fashion, the adjustment of the position of the sighting frame can be obtained by the actionning of a manoeuver means which is associated to a second manual control also at the disposal of the observer. The result of this arrangement is that it is the observer himself who on the one hand, adjusts the position of the sighting frame to bring the guide to the desired height,

on the other hand, controls the parade of the articles.

Preferably, the elements ensuring the emission of the signals associated to the articles are arranged so that when they reach the level of the signal detector, thus causing the interruption of the parade of articles, one article only is in the axis of vision of the observer. When the manual parade control is not actuated by the observer, all the articles remain immobile and the observer may then observe at leisure the effect produced by his image in conjunction with the article.

On the other hand, if the observer wishes several articles to parade past successively without stopping behind the sighting frame, he need only actuate the manual control. Substantially the displacement of the sighting frame for its adjustment may be effected continuously when the second manual control is actuated. Preferably this frame could be moved between two extreme positions determined in advance, end-stroke switches automatically causing reversal of the direction of displacement of the frame once it has reached its limit positions.

As this type of installation is intended more particularly, but not limitatively, to be installed in the show window of a store in order to permit passers-by to try articles without the need to enter the store, the window would be used advantageously as a support for the semi-transparent mirror by fixing on the latter an appropriate layer of gelatine. In addition, the two manual controls at the disposal of the observer are for example pressure-sensitive systems sensitive to the pressure applied on the inner surface of the window. It would then suffice for the observer to lightly press a definite point of the window to actuate one or both-controls.

There will now be described, by way of non-limitative example, a form of embodiment of an installation of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a diagram in perspective of an installation according to the invention, placed in a store window,

FIG. 2 is a diagram in profile of the installation of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a vertical section on a larger scale of the installation according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a section along the line lV-IV of FIG. 3,

FIG. is a detail on a larger scale and in perspective of the sighting frame of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a perspective cutaway view of the support of the article with part of the sighting frame, and

FIG. 7 is a detail on a larger scale of FIG. 1.

In the description which follows, there will be described more particularly an installation intended for trying on spectacles. However, this example is limitative and could be adapted for the presentation of wigs, jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, etc.) or any other article.

The example shown is intended more particularly to be installed in the show-window 1 of a store 2, the window being separated from the street 3 by a glass panel 4.

The installation is constituted by a housing 5 containing mechanisms described in detail below, and which possibly bear lamps 6 for illuminating a possible observer 7 in the street in front of the window. On the inner face 8 of the glass panel is glued the gelatine 9 which transforms the zone of the glass panel where it is applied into a semi-transparent mirror. Against the inner face 8 of the glass panel 4 are also applied controls 10-11 for actioning the mechanisms inside the housing 5. These controls consist of known systems, for example in the form of embodiment shown, use is made of approach detectors which operate substantially on the same principle as radar, i.e., they are stimulated by the presence in the immediate vicinity of the emitting plates, of an object such for example as the hand of an observer. The simulation of the plates is transformed into electric impulses.

However, any other type of system could be used permitting control through the glass, such as buttons or handles or other.

The housing 5 comprises lower walls 12 and upper walls 13, side walls 14 and 15 and a base wall 16. In one of the side walls, for example wall 15; is formed a door 17 for access to the interior of the housing 5. The front wall 17 of the housing has a wide opening 18 in which is mounted slidably a sighting frame 19 having lateral rails cooperating with the guiding edges 21 of wall 17 in order to permit vertical sliding of the sighting frame 19. Said frame comprises a plate 22 partially covering the front wall 17, this plate 22 being pierced by a central window 23. Preferably, the outer surface of the plate 22 is covered with a black cloth which absorbs the light.

To the sighting frame is attached a cable 24 passing over pulleys 25' arranged in the upper angles of the housing and bearing, against the base wall 16, a counterweight 25 slidably mounted on vertical guides 26 (see FIG. 7). Driving means, such as for example a motor 27, are coupled to one of pulleys 25', which rotate to ensure the displacement ofthe sighting frame either downward in the direction of arrow F,

or upward in the direction of arrow F The counterweight 25 bears a ramp 28 intended to cooperate, at the end of the bottom stroke, with a switch 29 or at the end of the top stroke with a switch 30 fixed to the walls of the housing. Said switches 29 and 30 are of the conventional type, that is to say with a flexible blade 31 bearing a roller 32 which rolls on the ramp 28 of the counterweight 25. In addition, switches 29 and 30 are mounted adjustable in height on a framework 33 thanks to a screw 34 the tightening of which ensures immobilization of the switches on frame-work 33. Due to this arrangement it is possible at will to determine the stroke of the sighting frame. For example, it could be adjusted to permit the use of the installation by people of height between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 2 inches approximately (lmSO and 1m90). The switches 29 and 30 are connected to motor 27 and control the reversal of the direction of rotation.

In addition, motor 27 is connected to manual control 10 which ensures, when actuated, the rotation of said motor, that is to say the displacement of the sighting frame.

As is seen particularly in FIG. 5, the outer surface of the sighting frame bears a horizontal guide mark 35 enabling the observer to adjust the position of the frame with respect to his eyes. In other words, the frame would be suitably adjusted when the guide 35 coincides with the line of the eyes of the observer who will see this coincidence directly on the image of his own face reflected by the semi-transparent mirror.

The mechanism for parading the articles is constituted by two horizontal drums 3637 turning on axes 38-39 supported by bearings fixed to the walls of the housing5. Said drums preferably have a double crown of pins 40 arranged regularly and intended to be engaged in holes 41 formed in endless belts 42 passing over the two drums 36 and 37. The penetration of the pins into holes 41 of the belts permits continuous driving of the latter by the drums. The rotation of the drums is effected by a motor 43 connected by a transmission system 44, for example to drum 36.

The two belts 42 are connected by a succession of small transverse plates 45 which are fixed to the belts by eyelets 46 for example passing through holes 41 of belts 42 and the plates 45. In each plate 45, of which the outer face 47 is preferably covered with black cloth, are formed two slits 48 which permit the introduction of wings 49 of pairs of spectacles 50 the lenses of which are facing the observer.

The holding in position of the spectacles may be easily effected by a rapid hooking means 51 of any suitable type permitting easy replacement of the spectacles in question.

The motor 43 is connected to the control 11 of the installation which when actuated causes the rotation of the motor and consequently the parading of the spectacles behind the sighting frame.

To obtain a step by step displacement of the spectacles behind the sindow of the sighting frame, and as a result intermittent operation of motor 43, the sighting frame 19 bears, in the form of embodiment shown, a photo-electric cell 52 fixed to a support 53 bolted to the rear face of the frame, said cell being associated to a light source 54 also fixed to support 53 and at a certain distance from the photoelectric cell.

One of the belts 42 of the mechanism for presenting the articles as well as the corresponding end of small plates 45 parade between the light source 54 and the photoelectric cell 52. The system is adjusted so that the stimulation of the photoelectric cell by the light beam emitted by the light source causes the stopping of motor 43. To this end, the photoelectric cell 52 is connected to this motor.

As a result, it is understood that the parading of the articles continues so long as the photoelectric cell and its light source are not at the same level as one of the eyelets 46. At that moment, on the contrary, the parade would stop.

Naturally, as a variation, any other suitable switch system could be used, mechanical, electric or magnetic, a part of the system being rigidly united with the sighting frame and the other to the supports bearing the parading articles. For example, the photoelectric cell could be replaced by an electromagnet whereas the endless belts 42 could carry a magnetic tape provided with signals and controlling the stopping of the motor by stimulating the magnet.

The arrangement is disposed so that when the displacement of the spectacles is stopped, one of the latter is in the window 23 and at the level of the eyes of the observer so that he can see his image associated to the spectacles as if he were really wearing them.

The invention having been described and its interest justified by a detailed example, the applicant reserves exclusive rights thereto during the life of the patent, with no limitation other than that of the terms of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. An installation enabling an observer to see the image of a part of himself combined successively with a series of articles of apparel or accessories, said installation comprising:

a fixed structure carrying a vertical semi-transparent mirror facing the observer,

a housing mounted on said fixed structure, and opposite the observer with respect to said semi-transparent mirror, said housing having an opened front wall,

a sighting frame slidably mounted on said opened front wall of said housing and arranged to be adjustably displaced on a vertical plane, said frame having a window equipped with a guide mark intended to be placed on a level with said part of the observer,

and a movable support mounted into said housing at the rear of said sighting frame said movable support, on which is placed a succession of articles, being actuated by a driving system which causes the articles to appear successively one at a time behind the window of the sighting frame.

2. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sighting frame is rigidly united with a signal detector which cooperates with elements ensuring the emission of signals which are associated respectively to each article, said signal detector controlling stoppage of the system for driving the movable support carrying the articles when it is stimulated by an emitting element.

3. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the starting of the system for driving the movable support is effected by a first independent manual control.

4. An installation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the restarting of the system for driving the movable support after each stoppage is effected by a first manual control.

5. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the position of the sighting frame is obtained by actuation of a maneuver means associated to a manual control.

6. An installation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sighting frame is intended to be displaced alternately between two preset limit positions, means for reversing the direction of displacement of the frame being provided at each of these limit positions.

7. An installation as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first manual control ensures the continuous movement of the movable support so long as the actuation of said first control is maintained.

8. An installation as claimed in claim 5, wherein said manual control ensures the continuous displacement of the sighting frame so long as the actuation of said control is maintained.

9. An installation as claimed in claim I, wherein said housing includes a first drive motor connected to said sighting frame by a cable passing over pulleys mounted for free rotation on said housing,

a second drive motor coupled to one of a pair of horizontal drums rotatably mounted on axes carried by said housing, an endless belt passing over the drums, said belt being provided with a series of articles,

a first manual control situated in front and to the side of said housing, said control actuating the first motor,

and a second manual control situated in front and to the side of said housing, said control actuating the second motor.

10. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sighting frame carries a photo-electric cell which is coupled to the second motor.

11. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the endless belt is provided with bores aligned and situated on a line intersecting the axis of a photo-electric cell carried by the sighting frame, said bores being respectively associated to an article, in such a way that when a bore passes before the photo-electric cell, the second motor stops.

12. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drums are provided with pins which coact with bores formed in the endless belt in order to ensure the driving of the belt.

13. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein said endless belt carries a series of plates articulated on said belt, an article being removably fixed on each of said plates.

14. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cable connected to said sighting frame is also connected to a counterweight which is slidably mounted on vertical guides fixed to the wall of the housing opposite the sighting frame, said counterweight coacting with switches fixed on the wall of the housing, said switches controlling the reversing of the rotation of the first motor and therefore the reversal of the movement of the sighting frame.

15. An installation as claimed in claim 1 provided to be placed in a show-window of a store and wherein the semi-transparent mirror is constituted by the glass of the show window on which is applied a coating of gelatine.

16. An installation as claimed in claim 15 including two manual controls for respectively controlling the adjustment of the sighting frame and the displacement of the articles, wherein said controls are constituted by approach detectors which are placed on the inner face of the show-window. 

1. An installation enabling an observer to see the image of a part of himself combined successively with a series of articles of apparel or accessories, said installation comprising: a fixed structure carrying a vertical semi-transparent mirror facing the observer, a housing mounted on said fixed structure, and opposite the observer with respect to said semi-transparent mirror, said housing having an opened front wall, a sighting frame slidably mounted on said opened front wall of said housing and arranged to be adjustably displaced on a vertical plane, said frame having a window equipped with a guide mark intended to be placed on a level with said part of the observer, and a movable support mounted into said housing at the rear of said sighting frame said movable support, on which is placed a succession of articles, being actuated by a driving system which causes the articles to appear successively one at a time behind the window of the sighting frame.
 2. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sighting frame is rigidly united with a signal detector which cooperates with elements ensuring the emission of signals which are associated respectively to each article, said signal detector controlling stoppage of the system for driving the movable support carrying the articles when it is stimulated by an emitting element.
 3. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the starting of the system for driving the movable support is effected by a first independent manual control.
 4. An installation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the restarting of the system for driving the movable support after each stoppage is effected by a first manual control.
 5. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the position of the sighting frame is obtained by actuation of a maneuver means associated to a manual control.
 6. An installation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sighting frame is intended to be displaced alternately between two preset limit positions, means for reversing the direction of displacement of the frame being provided at each of these limit positions.
 7. An installation as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first manual control ensures the continuous movement of the movable support so long as the actuation of said first control is maintained.
 8. An installation as claimed in claim 5, wherein said manual control ensures the continuous displacement of the sighting frame so long as the actuation of said control is maintained.
 9. An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a first drive motor connected to said sighting frame by a cable passing over pulleys mounted for free rotation on said housing, a second drive motor coupled to one of a pair of horizontal drums rotatably mounted on axes carried by said housing, an endless belt passing over the drums, said belt being provided with a series of articles, a first manual control situated in front and to the side of said housing, said control actuating the first motor, and a second manual control situated in front and to the side of said housing, said control actuating the second motor.
 10. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sighting frame carries a photo-electric cell which is coupled to the second motor.
 11. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the endless belt is provided with bores aligned and situated on a line intersecting the axis of a photo-electric cell carried by the sighting frame, said bores being respectively associated to an article, in such a way that when a bore passes before the photo-electric cell, the second motor stops.
 12. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drums are provided with pins which coact with bores forMed in the endless belt in order to ensure the driving of the belt.
 13. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein said endless belt carries a series of plates articulated on said belt, an article being removably fixed on each of said plates.
 14. An installation as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cable connected to said sighting frame is also connected to a counterweight which is slidably mounted on vertical guides fixed to the wall of the housing opposite the sighting frame, said counterweight coacting with switches fixed on the wall of the housing, said switches controlling the reversing of the rotation of the first motor and therefore the reversal of the movement of the sighting frame.
 15. An installation as claimed in claim 1 provided to be placed in a show-window of a store and wherein the semi-transparent mirror is constituted by the glass of the show window on which is applied a coating of gelatine.
 16. An installation as claimed in claim 15 including two manual controls for respectively controlling the adjustment of the sighting frame and the displacement of the articles, wherein said controls are constituted by approach detectors which are placed on the inner face of the show-window. 